In a monumental achievement for Himalayan cricket, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) secured their first-ever Ranji Trophy final berth by defeating domestic giants Bengal by six wickets on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Playing at the Bengal Cricket Academy Ground in Kalyani, the “underdogs” completed a fairytale chase to end Bengal’s campaign.
The victory is particularly sweet for J&K, as they managed to overcome a career-best 8/90 from veteran India pacer Mohammed Shami in the first innings.
Match Highlights: J&K vs. Bengal Semifinal
J&K’s victory was built on a disciplined bowling effort and a composed middle-order performance during the final chase.
- Nabi’s Nine-Wicket Haul: Auqib Nabi was the star of the show, finishing with match figures of 9 wickets. His four-wicket burst in the second innings helped bundle Bengal out for just 99, setting J&K a target of 126.
- The Historic Chase: Chasing 126, J&K faced early jitters at 43/2. However, rookie Vanshaj Sharma (43)* and IPL star Abdul Samad (30)* stitched together a match-winning 55-run partnership.
- The Winning Shot: Vanshaj Sharma sealed the victory in style, launching Mukesh Kumar for a six over long-on, sparking jubilant celebrations.
The Road to the Final
J&K’s journey to the 2026 final has been defined by consistency and the ability to win from difficult positions.
| Stage | Opponent | Key Performer | Result |
| Quarterfinal | Madhya Pradesh | Auqib Nabi (12 Match Wickets) | Won by 56 Runs |
| Semifinal | Bengal | Auqib Nabi & Vanshaj Sharma | Won by 6 Wickets |
“Last time we missed it in the quarters but we did all the hard work and we deserved it. This isn’t just a win for us; it’s for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.” — Auqib Nabi, Player of the Match.
The Final Matchup: Karnataka vs. J&K
While J&K has already qualified, Karnataka is almost certain to join them. In their semifinal against Uttarakhand, Karnataka posted a gargantuan 736 and currently holds a massive lead.
- Final Date: February 23 – February 27, 2026.
- Venue: TBC (Expected to be the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, if Karnataka qualifies).
This will be a classic “David vs. Goliath” final, as the eight-time champions Karnataka face a team making their first-ever appearance in the title clash.
